Today, read through the passage for the week again. Before you begin, ask for guidance and acknowledge the Spirit with you as you read. As you read through, notice lines of the psalm stand out to you. Read that section slow a few times over pausing between each reading. Write down any response or invitation that comes to your mind and heart. Then, if you're feeling brave, share in the comments with us or with someone else in your life, speak out, how the Lord has redeemed you in the past.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.
I remember reading this psalm when I felt trapped in an abusiveness relationship. I didn’t see at that time how God could possibly rescue me or redeem me from that relationship. Now, just like with the first tiny green shoots of Spring, I am seeing new life and redemption on the horizon.